Recently, my friend Tony Lombardi introduced me to a new winery in Russian River Valley – Kobler Family Wines. It was a story of all the things I love to talk about – family, resilience, and wines that show a sense of place even when it’s unexpected.
I sat down with Winemaker Mike Kohler Jr., who told me the family story.
The Story
Back in 1996, brothers Mike Sr. and Otto Kobler, with their wives Debbie and Barbara, planted their first Syrah vineyard in a region traditionally celebrated for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Breaking the mold, the Kobler brothers sought to replicate the grape-growing traditions of the Northern Rhône. In 2010, Mike Sr.’s sons, Mike and Brian, launched Kobler Estate Winery in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley.
From the initial vineyard planting to another generation taking over and starting a winery, the dedication to the land and the craft of winemaking has been constant.
The transition hasn’t been without challenges. In 2021, Mike’s brother Brian (the first winemaker) stepped away from winemaking due to personal circumstances, passing the torch to Mike Jr. He leaned on Sonoma County’s supportive winemaking community — a network of friends who offered guidance and expertise when needed.
The History
Mike shared the history of his family’s winemaking legacy, beginning with his grandfather’s establishment of a vineyard in California after surviving a concentration camp.
After a brief career in economics and working in retail management, Mike returned to the family vineyard, which led to the founding of Kobler Family Vineyards. Kobler specializes in small-lot, handcrafted wines that celebrate the unique terroir of the Russian River Valley but using Rhône varietals like Syrah and Viognier. Mike is also spearheading efforts to diversify their estate vineyard by introducing Marsanne and other varietals. This strategic move reflects both market demands and climate adaptability.
The Rebranding
Mike is fun to talk with and tells lots of stories. One of my favorites is how a legal challenge to Korbel Winery’s name led him to use his knowledge from a business law class about predatory behavior to counter their claims. The lawsuit was dropped within 48 hours. And trust me, there is no chance you will mix up these wines.
He saw the writing on the wall and started working on a name and brand change. He knew he needed to hyperfocus and took online classes at Cornell University and rebranded and renamed the company with a focus on the history of the vineyards and the family. He worked with designer Mindy Kreck (now at Duckhorn) to create labels that reflect the family’s Victorian estate and tell the story of its rich history, and he introduced two different tiers of wine by appellation and by single vineyard.
Sustainability
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword at Kobler Family Vineyards — it’s a way of life. The vineyard practices dry farming — a method that stresses the vines just enough to produce exceptional fruit quality. Beyond viticulture, Mike has introduced local elements into every aspect of their wine experience. You’ll find chickens roaming the property, fruit trees that were planted, etc.
A Sense of Community
As one of Sonoma County’s few gay-owned wineries, Kobler Family Vineyards supports LGBTQ+ initiatives through collaborations with organizations like Out in the Vineyard and Face to Face. These efforts focus on community health, education, and inclusivity — values that resonate deeply with Mike and his husband, Tim.
We talked about the current political environment and its impact on funding. Because both charities are funded by local Sonoma County residents, he sees an opportunity for the organizations to ensure the safety and health of the community. Mike talked about having a bigger voice vs. a louder voice. Increased awareness and activities could help protect existing funding and attract new resources.
Navigating Tradition in a Family Business
Running a family-owned winery comes with its challenges, especially when it’s time to make strategic changes. Mike shared the balance of honoring his father’s vision while adapting to meet current market demands. The Kobler family’s vineyard spans 4.5 acres, primarily planted with Syrah—a grape his father loves but one that is increasingly difficult to sell. Mike recently convinced his father to diversify the vineyard, starting with replanting the southern block, the highest elevation on the property, with Marsanne. This shift will allow Kobler Family Vineyards to reduce reliance on outside fruit purchases and focus on creating wines entirely from estate-grown grapes. “It will be all our own,” Mike explained.
Sometimes the transition hasn’t been easy, as Syrah holds sentimental value for his father, but Mike sees diversification as essential for long-term success. Plans include introducing other Rhône varietals like Viognier to complement their existing portfolio. Kobler Family Vineyards is positioning itself for future opportunities, including enhancing the property’s appeal for potential buyers in there future. Mike remains focused on progress: “It’s about making this a business — not just a passion project — while staying true to our roots.”
The Wines
While I won’t go into specific tasting notes to not make this too long, let’s just say the Russian River Valley does more than Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs well. The Rhône wines were delicious. I really enjoyed them, especially the Syrahs.
2023 Kobler Gewurztraminer
2023 Kobler Bacigalupi Vineyards Chardonnay
2023 Kobler Viognier
2022 Kobler Bacigalupi Vineyards Pinot Noir
2022 Kobler Cuvée of the River Grenache
2021 Kobler Family Vineyards Estate Reserve Syrah
2022 Kobler Family Vineyards Syrah
2022 Kobler Cuvée of the Fog Syrah
Kobler Estate Winery is a story of family resilience, innovation, and breaking traditions to make the best wine possible. Founded by brothers Mike Sr. and Otto Kobler in 1996 with the decision to plant Syrah in a region known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the winery has evolved under the leadership of Mike Jr. into a boutique producer of Rhône-inspired wines in the Russian River Valley. With a focus on sustainability, including dry farming and plans to diversify their vineyard with varietals like Marsanne and Chardonnay, Kobler Family Vineyards is adapting to market demands while staying true to its roots.
